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AI Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Searching the Internet

Searching the internet and using AI is a skill that developers rely on. Learning to use these tools responsibly and ethically is an important part of that skill.

It is critical to understand the following:

  1. The quality of a tool’s output directly correlates to the quality of your input or “prompt”.

  2. All large language models have a tendency to make up incorrect facts and fake citations, code generation models have a tendency to produce inaccurate outputs, and image generation models can occasionally come up with highly offensive products. The current AI models will confidently reassert factual errors.

  3. You should assume outcomes are wrong unless you cross-check the claims with reliable, credible sources. You are responsible for any errors or omissions. Fact-check all of the AI outputs.

Like any other resource, the use of AI should be acknowledged in your code as a comment. Be sure to explain which AI tool or website you used and how you used it. Include the prompts you used to get the results, or the website link you used, if applicable. Failure to do so is in violation of College and Program academic integrity policies.

Use these tools as resources, but do not let them supplant your own knowledge. You should be prepared to double check anything you get from these tools. Be sure that any generated code you use for reference uses the concepts and techniques covered in the course materials. Make sure you fully understand and can explain every part of that code.

Examples

In the following, assignment means “lab, project, checkpoint, or any other work submitted for evaluation”. These examples are not exhaustive; if you have a question about proper use, please ask.

Use that IS OK

  1. You use a tool to study for exams, quizzes, and other assessments by providing prompts to the tool and review the output.

  2. You use tools to explore the capabilities and potential uses of AI in an area of interest.

  3. You use a tool to translate or explain a phrase or concept.

Use that is NOT OK

  1. You type a prompt into a tool and copy all or part of the generated content (e.g., text, code, images, solutions) into your lab, exercise, project, checkpoint (quiz or exam), or any other assignment submitted for evaluation.

  2. You provide a tool with all or part of the prompt for an assignment and paraphrase or otherwise adapt all or part of the generated content into your response/code without proper attribution of the tool.

A final note: other instructors may have a different policy on AI and internet use. Be sure to consult with your instructor if you have any questions about what is acceptable in the classes they teach.